Communication apparatus capable of referring to transmission job history, control method therefor, and storage medium storing control program therefor

ABSTRACT

A communication apparatus that enables to refer to transmission history information in response to settings of use proprieties for transmission methods. A recording unit records a history of a transmission job executed by the communication apparatus as transmission history information that includes a transmitting destination at least. A setting unit sets a use propriety of each of the transmission methods. A determination unit determines whether reference to the transmission history information is permitted in response to the use propriety of each of the transmission methods set by the setting unit and the transmitting destination included in the transmission history information, when a user instructs to refer to the transmission history information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus capable ofreferring to a history of transmission jobs that have been executed, acontrol method therefor, and a storage medium storing a control programtherefor.

Description of the Related Art

Some communication apparatuses require authentication when using thecommunication apparatus itself or when using a function thereof. On theother hand, some image forming apparatuses, such as printers, areprovided with a transmitting function to transmit/receive data to/fromexternal devices. When receiving a print job from the external device,such an image forming apparatus processes the print job and forms animage. That is, this kind of image forming apparatus has a function as acommunication apparatus.

There is a known image forming apparatus (it may be hereafter called adevice) that requires authentication when using the image formingapparatus itself or when using a function thereof. This kind of imageforming apparatus allows using the device to an authenticated user only.There is known application software that provides such authentication.Hereafter, the above-mentioned authentication is called deviceauthentication.

There is an image forming apparatus that allows using specificfunctions, such as a data transmitting function and a printing function,to an authenticated user only, and application software that providessuch authentication is also known. Hereafter, such authentication iscalled function authentication.

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that has the deviceauthentication could set about whether the device authentication isperformed. When being set to perform the device authentication, theimage forming apparatus performs the user authentication at the time oflog-in, and only a user who passed the user authentication can use theimage forming apparatus. On the other hand, regarding the functionauthentication, the image forming apparatus can set permission orno-permission about transmission methods, such as electric mailtransmission, facsimile transmission, and file transmission, for a user.

When the user passed the user authentication, the image formingapparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No.2006-41598 (JP 2006-41598A) can input a new transmission job withreference to a transmission history (a history of a transmission jobsent to the image forming apparatus) stored in the image formingapparatus.

However, the image forming apparatus disclosed in the above-mentionedpublication opens the history information about the transmission jobthat has been executed by the authenticated user to other users, whichmay cause a security problem. For example, when a user who is notpermitted to use the data transmitting function using an electric mailrefers to the history information about the transmission job using anelectronic mail, the user concerned may send data using an electronicmail. Or even when data cannot be sent using an electronic mail,transmission setting may be available with reference to the transmissionhistory information. In such a case, an error occurs when instructingexecution of transmission, which causes a problem of impairingusability.

Some image forming apparatuses having the device authentication areprovided with a function to delete the transmission history informationconcerning a job (for example, a print job) executed duringauthentication when a user logs out.

However, when the transmission history information is deleted when theuser logs out, the user cannot resend a transmission job even if theuser logs in again and tries to send the transmission job based on thetransmission history information about the jobs that have been executed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus, a controlmethod therefor, and a storage medium storing a control programtherefor, which are capable of referring to transmission historyinformation in response to settings of use proprieties for transmissionmethods.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides acommunication apparatus having a transmitting function for transmittingdata to another apparatus using one of transmission methods comprising arecording unit configured to record a history of a transmission jobexecuted by the communication apparatus as transmission historyinformation that includes a transmitting destination at least, a settingunit configured to set a use propriety of each of the transmissionmethods, and a determination unit configured to determine whetherreference to the transmission history information is permitted inresponse to the use propriety of each of the transmission methods set bythe setting unit and the transmitting destination included in thetransmission history information, when a user instructs to refer to thetransmission history information.

Accordingly, a second aspect of the present invention provides a controlmethod for controlling a communication apparatus having a transmittingfunction for transmitting data to another apparatus using one oftransmission methods, the control method comprising a recording step ofrecording a history of a transmission job executed by the communicationapparatus as transmission history information that includes atransmitting destination at least, a setting step of setting a usepropriety of each of the transmission methods, and a determination stepof determining whether reference to the transmission history informationis permitted in response to the use propriety of each of thetransmission methods set in the setting step and the transmittingdestination included in the transmission history information, when auser instructs to refer to the transmission history information.

Accordingly, a third aspect of the present invention provides anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a controlprogram causing a computer to execute a control method for acommunication apparatus having a transmitting function for transmittingdata to another apparatus using one of transmission methods, the controlmethod comprising a recording step of recording a history of atransmission job executed by the communication apparatus as transmissionhistory information that includes a transmitting destination at least, asetting step of setting a use propriety of each of the transmissionmethods, and a determination step of determining whether reference tothe transmission history information is permitted in response to the usepropriety of each of the transmission methods set in the setting stepand the transmitting destination included in the transmission historyinformation, when a user instructs to refer to the transmission historyinformation.

According to the present invention, the transmission history informationcan be referred in response to the settings of the use proprieties ofthe transmission methods.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing utilizing environment about anexample of an image forming apparatus as a communication apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configurationof a MFP shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a destination designation screendisplay that is displayed on the MFP shown in FIG. 2 at the time of atransmission instruction.

FIG. 4 is a view showing data structure of destination data at the timeof storing transmission history information to a RAM in the MFP shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view showing examples of transmission limit parameters setin the RAM in the MFP shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a generation process for the transmissionhistory information at the time of referring to the transmission historyin the MFP shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7A is a view showing a screen displayed when all pieces of thetransmission history information can be displayed at the time ofreferring to the transmission history in the MFP shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7B is a view showing a screen displayed when one piece of thetransmission history information is not permitted to display at the timeof referring to the transmission history in the MFP shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereafter, an example of a communication apparatus according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference tothe attached drawings. Although an image forming apparatus is describedas an example of the communication apparatus, the present invention canbe applied to apparatuses other than the image forming apparatussimilarly.

FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing utilizing environment about anexample of an image forming apparatus as a communication apparatusaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus illustrated is amultifunction printer (MFP) 200, for example. The MFP 200 is connectedto a LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server 300 via a localarea network (LAN) 100. The MFP 200 communicates with the LDAP server300 (another apparatus) using protocol specified beforehand, andperforms user authentication at the time of transmission mentionedlater. That is, the MFP 200 has a transmitting/receiving function fortransmitting and receiving data. Here, the MFP 200 is provided with adata transmitting function and a file transmitting function at least.Since this protocol is well known, a detailed description is omitted.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configurationof the MFP 200 shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 200 is provided with a CPU 201, a ROM 202, aRAM 203, a network interface card (NIC) 204, an external inputcontroller (PANELC) 205, and an operation unit 206 that is provided withvarious buttons or a touch panel. Moreover, the MFP 200 is provided witha display controller (DISPC) 207, a display 208, a disk controller (DKC)209, and a hard disk (HD) 210. The MFP 200 is provided with a printerunit 211 and a scanner unit 212.

The CPU 201 generally controls devices connected to a system bus 213,and executes firmware stored in the ROM 202 or the HD 210 that is alarge-scale storage device. It should be noted that the firmwarecomprises at least two or more modules, and is updated by each module.

The CPU 201 executes a process mentioned later based on the firmwarethat is a control program. It should be noted that the HD 210 may beused as temporary storage for image data. The RAM 203 is used as a mainmemory of the CPU 201, and a work area.

The PANELC 205 receives and controls instructions inputted via theoperation unit 206. The DISPC 207 controls the display 208 and displaysa screen on the display 208.

The NIC 204 bidirectionally exchanges data with other MFPs and fileservers (not shown) or the LDAP server 300 (FIG. 1) via the LAN 100. Theprinter unit 211 forms an image on a recording paper according to anelectrophotography process, for example. The scanner unit 212 reads animage formed on an original.

It should be noted that the scanner unit 212 is equipped with anautomatic document feeder (not shown) as an option, and thereby, thescanner unit 212 can read originals automatically and continuously.

The MFP 200 illustrated requires transmission authentication as functionauthentication, for example. When performing the transmissionauthentication, the MFP 200 communicates with the LDAP server 300 viathe LAN100, and performs user authentication. Then, as mentioned above,the user authenticated by the transmission authentication can use thetransmitting function of the MFP 200.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a destination designation screendisplay that is displayed on the MFP 200 shown in FIG. 2 at the time ofa transmission instruction. The display 208 has a touch panel. When theuser pushes a button displayed on the display 208, a new screen isdisplayed in place of the screen concerned, or a popup menu is displayedon the display 208.

FIG. 3 shows a condition where a user was permitted to use the MFP 200by the login authentication. When the user inputs a transmissioninstruction after the user concerned is permitted by the loginauthentication, the MFP 200 (i.e., the CPU 201) operates a communicationfunction of the MFP 200. Then, the DISPC 207 displays a destinationdesignation screen on the display 208 under control of the CPU 201. Anew destination button 301 is displayed on this destination designationscreen. It should be noted that the MFP 200 has the data transmittingfunction and the file transmitting function using an electronic mail atleast.

The new destination button 301 is used for inputting a new destination.That is, when a user pushes the new destination button 301 at the timeof transmission, the DISPC 207 displays a menu for entering a FAX numberor an electronic mail (E-mail) address, an address for filetransmission, a user name, a password, etc. under the control of the CPU201.

Further, an one-touch button 302, a regular job button 303, adestination search button 304, a destination table 305, a call button306, a system situation/halt button 307, setup buttons 310, and adestination display area 308 are displayed on the destinationdesignation screen.

The one-touch button 302 is used for displaying destination buttonsregistered as one-touch buttons. The regular job button 303 is used fordisplaying a list of regular job buttons that call settings oftransmitting destinations or a read setting collectively. Thedestination search button is used for searching the LDAP server 300(FIG. 1) for a destination, and is used for setting the retrieveddestination as a transmitting destination.

The destination table 305 is used for displaying the destination tableregistered. The call button 306 is used for displaying the destinationsthat were designated as the transmitting destination in the past. Anoperation of the call button 306 displays a last button, a second lastbutton, and a third last button as described below. A push of eachbutton calls the destination and the transmission setting of the pasttransmission. That is, when the last button is pushed, the CPU 201 callsthe destination and the transmission setting of the last transmission,and displays them on the display 208 through the DISPC 207. Similarly,when the second last button or the third last button is pushed, the CPU201 calls the destination and the transmission setting of the secondlast transmission or the third last transmission, and displays them onthe display 208 through the DISPC 207.

The system situation/halt button 307 is a menu button for displaying thejob under process in the MFP 200 (FIG. 1). When the systemsituation/halt button 307 is pushed, the CPU 201 displays situations ofa copy, transmission/reception, facsimile, a print, and a device on thedisplay 208 through the DISPC 207. Then, a condition and history of eachjob, and status of the apparatus are displayed on the display 208. Asdescribed below, a transfer error job that was failed to transmit at thetime of transfer can be transmitted again using the systemsituation/halt button 307.

The destination display area 308 is a displaying area in whichinformation that is designated to transmit is displayed. In the leftpart of the destination display area 308 in FIG. 3, transmitting status,the number of destinations, and three destinations are displayed. On theother hand, in the right part of the destination display area 308 in theillustrated example, current time and reading parameters (B&W/color: B&WBINARY, resolution: 200×100 dpi, and reading density: AUTO) aredisplayed in the order from the top.

In the illustrated example, a reading setting, a file format, and atransmission setting are set by the setup buttons 310. In the readingsetting, resolution, B&W/color, reading size, density, etc. are set. Thefile format is selected from TIFF, JPEG, PDF, PDF+OCR, etc. In thetransmission setting, timer transmission, a settled stamp, atransmission document name, a subject name, a body, a reply address, asender name, etc. are set.

FIG. 4 is a view showing data structure of destination data at the timeof storing transmission history information to the RAM 203 in the MFP200 shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the RAM 203 (FIG. 2) stores transmission historyrecords 400. Then, each of the transmission history records 400 holdstransmission job information. Each of the transmission history records400 has information that shows a transmitting destination pointer 401, afile format 402, resolution 403, and density 404 as the transmission jobinformation.

The transmitting destination pointer 401 expresses a connection totransmission destination information, and the file format 402 expressesinformation that shows the file format used by the transmission job. Theresolution 403 expresses the resolution used when storing an image. Thedensity 404 expresses the image density used when storing an image.

In the illustrated example, the destination pointer 401 points at thedestination information record 410 that shows the information about thetransmitting destination. The destination information record 410consists of a name 411, an address 412, a protocol 413, and a nextpointer 414. The name 411 expresses a name of the destination. Theaddress 412 expresses a telephone number in a facsimile transmission, oran E-mail address in an E-mail transmission, for example. Then, theaddress 412 designates a folder name of the transmitting destination ina file transmission.

The protocol 413 expresses protocols used for the transmissions, such asthe facsimile transmission, the E-mail transmission, and the filetransmission. The next pointer 414 points at the next destinationinformation record, when there are two or more destinations. When thereis the second destination, the address of the next destinationinformation record 420 is contained in the following pointer 414. Then,the next destination information record 420 consists of the informationelements similar to the above-mentioned destination information record410.

It should be noted that the next destination information record 420consists of a name 421, an address 422, a protocol 423, and a nextpointer 424.

FIG. 5 is a view showing examples of transmission limit parameters setin the RAM 203 in the MFP 200 shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 5, the transmission limit parameters include an E-mailtransmission setting, a facsimile transmission setting, a filetransmission setting, and a memory media transmission setting, forexample. In the illustrated example, the MFP 200 holds a set value abouta destination that is permitted for the E-mail transmission regardingthe E-mail transmission setting 501.

Regarding the E-mail transmission setting 501, when “NOT PERMITTED” isselected, the MFP 200 (i.e., the CPU 201) operates under a conditionthat does not permit the E-mail transmissions to any of destinations. Onthe other hand, regarding the E-mail transmission setting 501, when “ALLDESTINATIONS ARE PERMITTED” is selected, the MFP 200 permits the E-mailtransmissions to all the destinations. Regarding the E-mail transmissionsetting 501, when “ONLY SELF-DESTINATION IS PERMITTED” is selected, theMFP 200 permits only the E-mail transmission of which the transmittingdestination is a person (a user) who logged in. It should be noted thatthe E-mail address of the person who logged in is notified to the MFP200 from the LDAP server 300 at the time of a login authentication, andis stored in the MFP 200 (for example, the RAM 203).

The above-mentioned E-mail transmission setting 501 can be set by theuser via the display 208, i.e., the touch panel. The user can performthe E-mail transmission setting 501 also by remote UI access through theLAN 100.

Regarding the file transmission setting 502, the MFP 200 holds a setvalue about a destination to which the file transmission is permitted.Regarding the file transmission setting 502, when “NOT PERMITTED” isselected, the MFP 200 (i.e. the CPU 201) does not permit any filetransmissions.

Regarding the file transmission setting 502, when “ALL DESTINATIONS AREPERMITTED” is selected, the MFP 200 permits the file transmissions toall the transmitting destinations without limitation. Regarding the filetransmission setting 502, when “ONLY SELF-DESTINATION OR DESIGNATEDFOLDER IS PERMITTED” is selected, the MFP 200 permits the filetransmissions when the transmitting destination is a folder that theperson who logged in holds or when the folder is beforehand designatedby the LDAP server 300.

The settings in the E-mail transmission setting 501 and the filetransmission setting 502 are set values that fundamentally determinewhether the transmissions are permitted. However, the illustratedexample uses the set values of the E-mail transmission setting 501 andthe file transmission setting 502 in association with reference to atransmission history (an operation of the call button 306). Then, thedetail of this will be described later with reference to a flowchartshown in FIG. 6. It should be noted that with respect to a facsimiletransmission setting and a memory media transmission setting, it is setup, respectively whether it is “facsimile transmission being permitted”and “permitting transmission to memory media.”

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a generation process for transmissionhistory information at the time of referring to the transmission historyin the MFP 200 shown in FIG. 2.

Here, assuming that the user has received the login authentication ofthe MFP 200. When the user inputs a transmission instruction, the CPU201 activates a transmitting function (it is also called a communicationfunction), and the DISPC 207 displays a destination designation screenon the display 208 under control of the CPU 201.

In the destination designation screen, when the call button 306 ispushed, the CPU 201 acquires a first address in the transmission historyrecord in the transmission history information stored in the RAM 203,and sets it to an internal pointer (step S601).

It should be noted that the transmission history record has the dataformat shown in FIG. 4. Next, the CPU 201 checks the transmissionhistory record set to the internal pointer, and determines whether atransmission history record exists (step S602).

When no transmission history records exist (NO in the step S602), theCPU 201 finishes the generation process for the transmission historyinformation. On the other hand, when the transmission history recordexists (YES in the step S602), the CPU 201 acquires record information(the transmission history record 400 shown in FIG. 4, step S603).

Next, the CPU 201 acquires the destination information record 410 basedon the transmitting destination pointer 401 (step S604). Then, the CPU201 checks about whether the transmitting destination is an E-Maildestination based on the address 412 and the transmission protocol 413of the destination information record 410 (step S605).

When the transmitting destination is an E-Mail destination (YES in thestep S605), the CPU 201 checks about whether the E-mail transmissionsetting 501 is set to “ALL DESTINATIONS ARE PERMITTED” (step S606).

When the E-mail transmission setting 501 is set to “ALL DESTINATIONS AREPERMITTED” (YES in the step S606), since the address 412 of thedestination information record 410 is permitted to transmit, the CPU 201determines to allow the reference to the transmission history. Then, theCPU 201 proceeds with the process to step S613, and checks about whetherother transmitting destinations (other addresses) exist.

When the E-mail transmission setting 501 is not set to “ALL DESTINATIONSARE PERMITTED” (NO in the step S606), the CPU 201 checks about whetherthe E-mail transmission setting 501 is set to “ONLY SELF-DESTINATION ISPERMITTED” (SelfOnly) (step S607).

When the E-mail transmission setting 501 is not set to the “ONLYSELF-DESTINATION IS PERMITTED” (NO in the step S607), since the E-mailtransmission is “NOT PERMITTED” (refusal), the CPU 201 does not add thedestination history record 410 concerned to the transmission historyinformation. Then, the CPU 201 proceeds with the process to step S615,and determines about the next transmission history record.

When the E-mail transmission setting 501 is set to the “ONLYSELF-DESTINATION IS PERMITTED” (YES in the step S607), the CPU 201checks about whether the information that shows the address 412 of thedestination information record 410 agrees with the address (informedaddress) notified from the LDAP server 300 (FIG. 1) as a mail address ofthe login user (step S608).

When the address 412 agrees with the notified address (YES in the stepS608), since the address 412 of the destination information record 410is permitted to transmit, the CPU 201 determines to allow the referenceto the transmission history. Then, the CPU 201 proceeds with the processto step S613, and checks about whether other transmitting destinationsexist.

On the other hand, when the address 412 does not agree with the notifiedaddress (NO in the step S608), since the address 412 of the destinationinformation record 410 must not transmit, the CPU 201 does not add thedestination history record 410 concerned to the transmission historyinformation. Then, the CPU 201 proceeds with the process to step S615,and determines about the next transmission history record.

Thus, the CPU 201 compares the transmitting destination with the E-mail(electronic mail) transmission setting, and determines whether thereference (i.e., displaying) of the transmission history information ispermitted according to the comparison result.

When the transmitting destination is not an E-Mail destination (NO inthe step S605), the CPU 201 checks about whether the transmittingdestination is a file transmitting destination based on the address 412and the transmission protocol 413 of the destination information record410 (step S609). When the transmitting destination is a filetransmitting destination (YES in the step S609), the CPU 201 checksabout whether the file transmission setting 502 is set to “ALLDESTINATIONS ARE PERMITTED” (step S610).

When the file transmission setting 502 is set to “ALL DESTINATIONS AREPERMITTED” (YES in the step S610), since the address 412 of thedestination information record 410 is permitted to transmit, the CPU 201determines to allow the reference to the transmission history. Then, theCPU 201 proceeds with the process to step S613, and checks about whetherother transmitting destinations exist.

When the file transmission setting 502 is not set to the “ALLDESTINATIONS ARE PERMITTED” (NO in the step S610), the CPU 201 checksabout whether the file transmission setting 502 is set to “ONLYSELF-DESTINATION (SelfOnly) OR DESIGNATED FOLDER IS PERMITTED” (stepS611). Here, the designated folder is a registration folder registeredbeforehand. For example, the HD 210 stores a name of the registrationfolder as a registration-folder name.

When the file transmission setting 502 is not set to the “ONLYSELF-DESTINATION OR DESIGNATED FOLDER IS PERMITTED” (NO in the stepS611), since the file transmission is “NOT PERMITTED” (refusal), the CPU201 does not add the destination history record 410 to the transmissionhistory information. Then, the CPU 201 proceeds with the process to stepS615, and advances the pointer of the transmission history record onestep in order to process the next transmission history information.

When the file transmission setting 502 is set to the “ONLYSELF-DESTINATION OR DESIGNATED FOLDER IS PERMITTED” (YES in the stepS611), the CPU 201 checks about whether the address 412 of thedestination information record 410 corresponds to the folder (the noticefolder) notified from the LDAP server as the transmitting destinationfolder of the login user or the folder (the registration folder)registered as the transmitting destination folder (step S612).

When the address 412 of the destination information record 410corresponds to the notice folder or the registration folder (YES in thestep S612), since the address 412 of the destination information record410 is permitted to transmit, the CPU 201 determines to allow thereference to the transmission history. Then, the CPU 201 proceeds withthe process to step S613, and checks whether other transmittingdestinations exist.

On the other hand, when the address 412 of the destination informationrecord 410 does not correspond to the notice folder and the registrationfolder (NO in the step S612), since the address 412 of the destinationinformation record 410 must not transmit, the CPU 201 do not add thedestination information record concerned to the transmission historyinformation. Then, the CPU 201 proceeds with the process to step S615,and advances the pointer of the transmission history record one step inorder to process the next transmission history information.

Thus, the CPU 201 compares the transmitting destination with the filetransmission setting, and determines whether the reference (i.e.,displaying) of the transmission history information is permittedaccording to the comparison result.

When the transmitting destination is not the file transmittingdestination (NO in the step S609), the CPU 201 checks whether thepointer 414 following the destination information record 410 that isshown by the transmitting destination pointer 401 exists (step S613).Then, when the following pointer 414 exists (YES in the step S613), theCPU 201 returns the process to the step S604 and acquires the address422 from the next destination information record 420.

When the next pointer 414 does not exist (i.e., it is Null; NO in thestep 613), since the current record is the last data as the destination,the CPU 201 adds the transmission history record 400 to the displayingdata so as to allow to display for a user (step S614).

Then, the CPU 201 advances the pointer of the transmission historyrecord one step in order to process the next transmission historyinformation. Then, the CPU 201 returns the process to the step S602, andcontinues the process.

Thus, regarding the transmission history information, the CPU 201determines whether the destination can be notified to a user. Then, whenthe transmission history is referred to (when the call button 306 ispushed), the CPU 201 displays only the destinations that can be notifiedto a user on the display 208.

FIG. 7A is a view showing a screen displayed when all pieces of thetransmission history information can be displayed at the time ofreferring to the transmission history in the MFP 200 shown in FIG. 2.FIG. 7B is a view showing a screen displayed when one piece of thetransmission history information is not permitted to display at the timeof referring to the transmission history in the MFP 200 shown in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 7A, since all pieces of the transmission history information canbe displayed, the CPU 201 controls the DISPC 207 to display all of alast button 701, a second last button 702, and a third last button 703on the display 208. When the last button 701 is pushed, the CPU 201calls the destination and the transmission setting of the lasttransmission, and displays them as the transmission history informationon the display 208 through the DISPC 207. Similarly, when the secondlast button 702 or the third last button 703 is pushed, the CPU 201calls the destination and the transmission setting of the second lasttransmission or the third last transmission, and displays them as thetransmission history information on the display 208 through the DISPC207.

On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 7B, the destinationcorresponding to the last button is not permitted to display.Accordingly, the CPU 201 does not display an icon of the last buttonconcerned on the display 208. Then, in the illustrated example, sincethe CPU 201 determined that the destinations corresponding to the secondlast button 702 and the third last button 703 can be displayed, the CPU201 displays icons of the buttons concerned on the display 208.

Thus, the CPU 201 displays the button icon corresponding to thetransmission history information that can be displayed on the display208, and retains the security about the reference to the transmissionhistory information.

As mentioned above, the MFP 200 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention determines whether the reference to the transmissionhistory information is permitted in response to the transmission settingand the transmitting destination, when the display of the transmissionhistory information is instructed and when the function-authenticationfunction operates after performing the login authentication by thelogin-authentication function regarding the display of the transmissionhistory information. Therefore, when the transmission historyinformation is displayed, the transmission history information can bedisplayed according to the security level.

As is evident from the above-mentioned description, the CPU 201 shown inFIG. 2 functions as a determination unit, and the CPU 201, the RAM 203,the DKC 209, and the HD 210 function as a recording unit. Then, the CPU201, the RAM 203, the operation unit 206, the display 208, etc. functionas a setting unit that sets a use propriety of each of the transmissionmethods.

Although the embodiments of the invention have been described, thepresent invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, thepresent invention includes various modifications as long as the conceptof the invention is not deviated.

For example, an information processing apparatus like an image formingapparatus may execute a control method that is defined by the functionsof the above-mentioned embodiment. Moreover, a computer with which theinformation processing apparatus like the image forming apparatus isprovided may execute a control program that has the functions of theabove-mentioned embodiment. In this case, each of the control method andthe control program has a recording step and a determination step atleast.

Other Embodiments

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of asystem or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out andexecutes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functionsof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method, the steps ofwhich are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory deviceto perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For thispurpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via anetwork or from a recording medium of various types serving as thememory device (e.g., computer-readable medium).

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2010-103193, filed on Apr. 28, 2010, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image transmitting apparatus which is able totransmit image data by at least an email transmission protocol,comprising: a scanner configured to scan a document; an execution unitconfigured to execute a transmission job for transmitting image datagenerated by scanning the document by the scanner; a storage configuredto store transmission history information of transmission jobs executedby the execution unit; a control unit configured to perform a functionfor reading out setting information included in the transmission historyinformation which has been stored in the storage and using the settinginformation as setting information of a new transmission job; and asetting unit configured to set, based on a user instruction, whether topermit a use of the email transmission protocol, wherein the use of afunction for reading out setting information included in transmissionhistory information of transmission job of the email transmissionprotocol and using the setting information in transmission historyinformation of transmission job of the email transmission protocol assetting information of a new transmission job is inhibited based on theuse of the email transmission protocol being set not to be permitted bythe setting unit, and wherein the execution unit, the control unit, andthe setting unit are implemented by at least one processor and at leastone memory.
 2. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a destination setting unit configured to set adestination of image data, wherein the execution unit executes thetransmission job for transmitting the image data to the destination setby the destination setting unit, and wherein the storage stores thetransmission history information including the destination set by thedestination setting unit, wherein the destination setting unit isimplemented by at least one processor and at least one memory.
 3. Theimage transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the use ofsetting information included in transmission history information oftransmission job of the email transmission protocol is permitted basedon the use of the email transmission protocol being set to be permittedby the setting unit.
 4. The image transmitting apparatus according toclaim 3, further comprising a display control unit configured to cause,in a case where the use of the function for reading out settinginformation included in transmission history information of transmissionjob of the email transmission protocol and using the setting informationin transmission history information of transmission job of the emailtransmission protocol as setting information of a new transmission jobis permitted based on the use of the email transmission protocol beingset to be permitted by the setting unit, an operation key for readingout the setting information included in transmission history informationof transmission job of the email transmission protocol to be selectable,wherein said display control unit causes, in a case where the use of thefunction for reading out setting information included in transmissionhistory information of transmission job of the email transmissionprotocol and using the setting information in transmission historyinformation of transmission job of the email transmission protocol assetting information of a new transmission job is inhibited based on theuse of the email transmission protocol being set not to be permitted bythe setting unit, the operation key not to be selectable, and whereinthe display control unit is implemented by at least one processor and atleast one memory.
 5. The image transmitting apparatus according to claim3, further comprising a display configured to display, in a case wherethe use of the function for reading out setting information included intransmission history information of transmission job of the emailtransmission protocol and using the setting information in transmissionhistory information of transmission job of the email transmissionprotocol as setting information of a new transmission job is permittedbased on the use of the email transmission protocol being set to bepermitted by the setting unit, an operation key for reading out thesetting information included in the transmission history information ofthe email transmission protocol, wherein said display does not displaythe operation key, in a case where the use of the function for readingout setting information included in transmission history information oftransmission job of the email transmission protocol and using thesetting information in transmission history information of transmissionjob of the email transmission protocol as setting information of a newtransmission job is inhibited based on the use of the email transmissionprotocol being set not to be permitted by the setting unit.
 6. A controlmethod for controlling an image transmitting apparatus which is able totransmit image data by at least an email transmission protocol, thecontrol method comprising: a scanning step of scanning a document; anexecution step of executing a transmission job for transmitting theimage data generated by scanning the document in the scanning step; astoring step of storing transmission history information of transmissionjobs executed in the execution step; a control step of performing afunction for reading out setting information included in thetransmission history information which has been stored and using thesetting information as setting information of a new transmission job;and a setting step of setting, based on a user instruction, whether topermit a use of the email transmission protocol, wherein the use of afunction for reading out setting information included in transmissionhistory information of transmission job of the email transmissionprotocol and using the setting information in transmission historyinformation of transmission job of the email transmission protocol assetting information of a new transmission job is inhibited based on theuse of the email transmission protocol being set not to be permitted inthe setting step.
 7. A non-transitory computer readable storage mediumfor storing a computer program for executing a control method forcontrolling an image transmitting apparatus which is able to transmitimage data by at least an email transmission protocol, the controlmethod comprising: a scanning step of scanning a document; an executionstep of executing a transmission job for transmitting the image datagenerated by scanning the document in the scanning step; a storing stepof storing transmission history information of transmission jobsexecuted in the execution step; a control step of performing a functionfor reading out setting information included in the transmission historyinformation which has been stored and using the setting information assetting information of a new transmission job; and a setting step ofsetting, based on a user instruction, whether to permit a use of theemail transmission protocol, wherein the use of a function for readingout setting information included in transmission history information oftransmission job of the email transmission protocol and using thesetting information in transmission history information of transmissionjob of the email transmission protocol as setting information of a newtransmission job is inhibited based on the use of the email transmissionprotocol being set not to be permitted in the setting step.
 8. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium according to claim 7,wherein the control method further comprises a destination setting stepof setting a destination of image data, wherein, in the execution step,the transmission job for transmitting the image data to the destinationset in the destination setting step is executed, and wherein thetransmission history information including the destination set in thedestination setting step is stored.
 9. The non-transitory computerreadable storage medium according to claim 7, wherein the use of afunction for reading out setting information included in transmissionhistory information of transmission job of the email transmissionprotocol and using the setting information in transmission historyinformation of transmission job of the email transmission protocol assetting information of a new transmission job is permitted based on theuse of the email transmission protocol being set to be permitted in thesetting step.
 10. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumaccording to claim 9, further comprising a display control step ofcausing, in a case where the use of a function for reading out settinginformation included in transmission history information of transmissionjob of the email transmission protocol and using the setting informationin transmission history information of transmission job of the emailtransmission protocol as setting information of a new transmission jobis permitted based on the use of the email transmission protocol beingset to be permitted in the setting step, an operation key for readingout the setting information included in transmission history informationof transmission job of the email transmission protocol to be selectable,wherein, in a case where the use of a function for reading out settinginformation included in transmission history information of transmissionjob of the email transmission protocol and using the setting informationin transmission history information of transmission job of the emailtransmission protocol as setting information of a new transmission jobis inhibited based on the use of the email transmission protocol beingset not to be permitted in the setting unit, the operation key isdisplayed not to be selectable.
 11. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium according to claim 9, wherein, in a case where the use ofa function for reading out setting information included in transmissionhistory information of transmission job of the email transmissionprotocol and using the setting information in transmission historyinformation of transmission job of the email transmission protocol assetting information of a new transmission job is permitted based on theuse of the email transmission protocol being set to be permitted in thesetting step, an operation key for reading out the setting informationincluded in the transmission history information of the emailtransmission protocol is displayed, and wherein, the operation key isnot displayed in a case where the use of a function for reading outsetting information included in transmission history information oftransmission job of the email transmission protocol and using thesetting information in transmission history information of transmissionjob of the email transmission protocol as setting information of a newtransmission job is inhibited based on the use of the email transmissionprotocol being set not to be permitted in the setting step.